On September 11, both Britain and Germany made clear that they will not be participating in President Obama’s planned airstrikes against ISIS.

According to HotAir.com, Britain and Germany do not plan on being part of that “broad coalition,” as far as airstrikes are concerned. British foreign secretary Philip Hammond said Parliament decided against participating in airstrikes in 2013, and it won’t be “revisiting” the matter. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his country would not participate either.

Steinmeier’s exact words: “To be quite clear, we have not been asked to do so and neither will we do so.”

This draws attention to a crucial, tactical distinction between Obama and George W. Bush concerning their respective fights against Islamic militants. Against Saddam Hussein, Bush had a coalition of 18 other countries. But Newsbusters.org reports Obama’s “broad coalition” consists of only 9 countries who have agreed to fight against ISIS.

In February 2003, just one month before the U.S. invaded Iraq, the Media Research Center reported Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) accused Bush of “[threatening] to go it alone” because his coalition against Hussein only contained 18 other countries.

Update: The UK Prime Minister’s office has contradicted Foreign Secretary Hammond, suggesting all options are still on the table.